Written Answers Thursday 30 October 2008

Scottish Executive

Ambulance Service

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many abortive journeys were made by patient transport services in each of the last three years, broken down by NHS board.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of journeys made by patient transport services was classed as abortive journeys in each of the last three years, broken down by NHS board.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) has provided the information set out in the following table.

  

 NHS Board
 Number of PTS Journeys
 Number of Aborted PTS Journeys
 % of Aborted Journeys


 
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08


 Argyll and Clyde
 200,093
 182,002
 170,268
 9,118
 6,819
 6,982
 4.6%
 3.7%
 4.1%


 Ayrshire and Arran
 149,966
 145,318
 143,132
 8,250
 6,989
 6,046
 5.5%
 4.8%
 4.2%


 Borders
 54,580
 51,622
 54,307
 936
 1,126
 1,440
 1.7%
 2.2%
 2.7%


 Dumfries and Galloway
 60,269
 54,273
 54,748
 1,078
 1,545
 1,623
 1.8%
 2.8%
 3.0%


 Fife
 124,945
 150,355
 161,765
 6,049
 5,990
 7,038
 4.8%
 4.0%
 4.4%


 Forth Valley
 110,861
 111,614
 135,870
 6,684
 5,636
 7,226
 6.0%
 5.0%
 5.3%


 Grampian
 121,581
 110,629
 96,776
 4,618
 4,738
 5,885
 3.8%
 4.3%
 6.1%


 Greater Glasgow 
 349,736
 307,379
 284,185
 28,478
 25,036
 21,582
 8.1%
 8.1%
 7.6%


 Highland
 78,515
 73,153
 67,048
 1,257
 1,147
 1,204
 1.6%
 1.6%
 1.8%


 Lanarkshire
 199,435
 186,527
 177,666
 9,162
 12,382
 13,080
 4.6%
 6.6%
 7.4%


 Lothian
 172,031
 175,138
 191,260
 8,914
 8,670
 11,174
 5.2%
 5.0%
 5.8%


 Orkney
 159
 2,045
 2,240
 1
 11
 42
 0.6%
 0.5%
 1.9%


 Shetland
 2,841
 3,200
 3,243
 2
 7
 59
 0.1%
 0.2%
 1.8%


 Tayside
 99,354
 129,172
 144,868
 5,126
 4,629
 5,109
 5.2%
 3.6%
 3.5%


 Western Isles
 5,934
 5,767
 4,595
 60
 65
 97
 1.0%
 1.1%
 2.1%


 Total Scotland
 1,730,300
 1,688,194
 1,691,971
 89,733
 84,790
 88,587
 5.2%
 5.0%
 5.2%



  Notes:

  *The SAS IT systems record data under the previous structure of 15 geographic health boards.

  **Any journey which is cancelled on the same day as it was due to take place is counted as an aborted journey. In addition, where the SAS has not been notified of a cancellation and proceeds to pick up the patient, that is counted as an abort and the return journey is also counted as an abort (rather than a cancellation).

Ambulance Service

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many abortive journeys were made by patient transport services in each of the last three years, broken down by hospital.

Shona Robison: This information is not recorded by the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Ambulance Service

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what it estimates the cost of abortive journeys by patient transport services has been in each of the last three years, broken down by NHS board.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Ambulance Service do not calculate the costs of abortive journeys.

  However, average costs of patient transport service journeys are published annually in the ISD Scotland Cost Book. This information can be found at:

  http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/costs-overview.jsp?pContentID=3726&p_applic=CCC&p_service=Content.show&.

Ambulance Service

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to reduce the number of abortive journeys by patient transport services in each NHS board area.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) has been liaising closely with NHS boards and community health partnerships through a series of workshops, liaison groups and multi disciplinary patients transport project groups to find a way of reducing aborted journeys.

  The SAS Patient Transport Strategy will be fully revised during 2008-09 to ensure it addresses issues arising from Scottish Government policies and strategies, including national transport strategies and the Better Health, Better Care Action Plan which outlined the need for NHS Scotland to engage more effectively with the seven Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs), given the statutory duty on RTPs to develop local transport strategies which support the provision of health care.

  In order to continuously develop patient transport services, further collaborations with NHS boards, local authorities and voluntary agencies continue to be explored to improve the cohesion and efficiency of collective health and social care transport resources.

  SAS will continue to work towards ensuring flexibility and efficiency in meeting the health transport needs of patients.

Broadcasting

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations the First Minister has made to BBC Scotland in the last year and which of these related to contributors to radio and television programmes, including Mr Iain Macwhirter.

Linda Fabiani: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-16541 on 22 October 2008. In addition, the First Minister sought confirmation that BBC Scotland upholds the principle of any individual being able to express their view to government appointed bodies without prejudice.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Central Heating Programme

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional households in Tayside will be eligible under the new qualifying criteria for the central heating programme

Stewart Maxwell: Helping Scots cope with the impact of high fuel bills and tackling fuel poverty forms part of our six point programme aimed at reducing the impact of the global financial crisis. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing announced last week that we are investing a further £10 million to provide more central heating systems this year.

  We have also announced our intention that from April 2009 our fuel poverty programmes will for the first time, help tackle fuel poverty amongst families on income support with children under five or with disabled children under 16 beyond basic insulation measures.

  We will set out the detail of the inclusion of families in future fuel poverty programmes in due course, along with the eligibility criteria and anticipated numbers who will benefit.

Children

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of school pupils has benefited from the extension of the clothing grant scheme.

Adam Ingram: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of school clothing grants in assisting families with the expenses involved in ensuring children have adequate and suitable clothing to take full advantage of local authority school education. We set up a working group in January 2008 to review the levels of support provided by school clothing grants, with a view to making recommendations to Scottish ministers on where improvements can be made to the system to best meet the needs of children and their families. The report from the working group is expected to be with ministers shortly and we will discuss the recommendations in the report with COSLA.

Communities

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-16025 by Fergus Ewing on 2 October 2008, on what date the First Minister’s approval in principle of the funding for IslamFest was minuted under normal procedures.

Fergus Ewing: The First Minister’s approval in principle was minuted on 30 January 2008, the day the meeting took place.

Communities

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the decisions on applications for funding to the Equality Unit from May 2007 that were approved in principle by the First Minister, subject to agreement by officials of a detailed proposal.

Fergus Ewing: The application for funding to the Equality Unit that was approved in principle by the First Minister, subject to agreement by officials of a detailed proposal, is detailed in the answer to question S3W-16025 on 2 October 2008. The First Minister has an interest in every portfolio across government, and has sight of many applications which have funding implications. It would be impractical to attempt to identify all the applications which fall into this category since May 2007.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Culture

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what efforts are being made to identify and quantify any risk to the national companies arising from withdrawal of commercial sponsorship for productions as a result of upheaval in the financial sector.

Linda Fabiani: All the National Performing companies, as independent charitable companies, are responsible for monitoring and managing their income from a variety of sources. The risk of losing commercial income is regularly assessed by the companies’ boards. The Scottish Government routinely monitors and discusses with the companies all aspects of their operations including their risk registers. While at the moment there appears to be little immediate impact on artistic activity from the economic climate, we will monitor the situation closely with the companies with regard to longer term trends.

Education

Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what specific additional funds for educational purposes were allocated to North Lanarkshire Council in each year from 2001-02 to 2007-08, broken down by fund and, of these, which are now included in the general local government settlement as a result of the concordat with local government and which remain as specific national funds.

Fiona Hyslop: As part of the concordat, we have significantly reduced the level of ring fencing around funding streams. This was delivered at the request of local government, and agreed with COSLA. Removing the ring fencing and regulation gives councils more freedom and flexibility to allocate their resources according to their local priorities and in line with their single outcome agreement. We have put a record level of investment in local government, £34.9 billion. Education remains a priority for local government and their delivery partners.

  A variety of additional funding for educational purposes was provided to North Lanarkshire Council between 2001-02 and 2007-08. Some of these funds remain as specific national funds and others are now included in the general local government settlement. These are set out as follows.

  Additional Funds for Education Purposes 2001-02 to 2007-08

  

 Type of Fund
 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05


 National Priorities Action Fund
 -
 -
£8,656,335
£10,074,338


 European Languages Grant
£159,700
£268,825
£257,300
£259,852


 Teacher Induction Scheme
 -
£409,557
£427,152
£572,861


 School Estate/PPP
 -
 -
 -
 -


 Schools Fund
£1,935,000
£1,935,000
£2,641,000
£5,519,000


 Assessment Development Programme
 -
£50,419
£90,100
£105,368


 Associated Schools Group
 -
£32,000
£30,000
 0


 Determined to succeed
 -
 -
£866,535
£603,357


 Vocational training – supplementary funding
 -
 -
 -
 -


 Parental involvement
 -
 -
 -
 -


 Support for School Estate Management Plans and Core Facts Preparation
 -
 -
£151,400
£75,700


 Additional financial resources for Schools
 -
 -
 -
 -


£100k Anti-sectarianism Project Fund
 -
 -
 -
 -


 Schools of Ambition
 -
 -
 -
 -


 Restorative Practices Pilot
 -
 -
 -
£45,000


 Automated Calls Systems in Schools Pilot
 -
 -
 -
 -


 Funding for training EAs
£27,710
 -
 -
 -


 Innovation Funding
 -
£75,850
£8,125
 -


 Learning Connections
 -
 -
 -
£3,500


 Adult Literacy and Numeracy team
 -
£30,000
£30,000
£15,000


 More Choices, More Chances
 -
 -
 -
 -


 Educational Attainment of Looked After Children
£523,500
 -
 -
 -


 NLC Pilot Project – Educational Attainment of Looked After Children
 -
 -
 -
 -



  

 Type of Fund
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08


 National Priorities Action Fund
£13,378,733
£16,552,596
£17,983,780


 European Languages Grant
£261,244
£255,660
£262,217


 Teacher Induction Scheme
£2,069,188
£2,754,159
£2,832,344


 School Estate/PPP
£70,000
£3,494,511
£7,541,458


 Schools Fund
£6,958,000
£10,891,000
£12,066,000


 Assessment Development Programme
£105,948
£35,316
 -


 Associated Schools Group
 0
£30,000
£60,000


 Determined to succeed
£603,357
£1,147,069
£1,186,492


 Vocational training – supplementary funding
 -
£35,000
£25,000


 Parental involvement
 -
£34,000
£66,340


 Support for School Estate Management Plans and Core Facts Preparation
£50,467
£37,850
 -


 Additional financial resources for Schools
 -
£3,205,000
 -


£100k Anti-sectarianism Project Fund
 -
£2,122
£3,880


 Schools of Ambition
£72,000
£118,295
£378,282


 Restorative Practices Pilot
£45,000
£45,000
£45,000


 Automated Calls Systems in Schools Pilot
£52,000
 -
 -


 Funding for training EAs
 -
 -
 -


 Innovation Funding
 -
 -
 -


 Learning Connections
£6,000
£5,000
£5,000


 Adult Literacy and Numeracy team
£3,405
£4,000
£59,000


 More Choices, More Chances
 -
£75,000
£128,067


 Educational Attainment of Looked After Children
 -
 -
 -


 NLC Pilot Project – Educational Attainment of Looked After Children
 0
£56,000
£190,000



  Education Related Revenue Grants Rolled Up into 2008-09 Local Government Finance Settlement:

  European Languages Grant

  National Priorities Action Fund

  School estate/PPP

  To be Distributed Later:

  Teacher Induction Scheme

  Continuing Ring-Fenced in 2008-09:

  Determined to succeed

  Schools of Ambition

  Education Related Capital Grants Rolled up in the 2008-09 Local Government Finance Settlement:

  Schools Fund.

  North Lanarkshire Total Allocation 2008-09 to 2010-11

  

 Year
 Allocation


 2008-09
£666.1 million


 2009-10
£693.8 million


 2010-11
£717.1 million

Electricity

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the total installed capacity was for generating electricity, including pumped storage but excluding wind power, at the end of each of the last 10 years.

Jim Mather: The information requested is not available. Data on the installed capacity of major power producers in Scotland is available for the years 1999 to 2007 from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform at the reference below (DUKES table 5_8):

  http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/energy/statistics/source/electricity/page18527.html.

  Data on the installed capacity of renewables in Scotland is available on the Scottish Government Environment Statistics website:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Environment/seso/Q/TID/18.

  However the installed capacity of wind power alone for this period is not available.

Electricity

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, of the currently installed electricity generating capacity, what capacity is expected to be in place in (a) 2015 and (b) 2020.

Jim Mather: While we are aware of a number of expected closures of large plants in Scotland over the next few decades, we do not hold precise information on the level of current capacity expected still to be in place at these dates, given the variety of sources of generation and in some instances the flexibility regarding operating life.

  However, we are undertaking some research into future projections of electricity supply which we hope to publish shortly. These will make some assumptions about future levels of generating capacity.

Electricity

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on planning margin being allowed for in planning future required electricity generating capacity.

Jim Mather: Individual decisions regarding the location and type of generation activity are largely a matter for the private sector and the generators involved who respond to market signals and incentives within the regulation structure set down by UK legislation. National Grid publishes a statement twice a year which assesses likely future level of demand and capacity in the short-term.

  Within Scotland, energy generating stations above 50 megawatts (1 megawatt for water generating stations) must have the consent of Scottish ministers under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. As set out in the Renewable Energy Framework published for consultation on 6 October 2008, we are working with the UK Government and OFGEM to put in place the appropriate incentive systems to promote energy security through a much greater proportion of renewable energy, together with cleaner generation from coal and gas.

Electricity

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which authority is responsible for ensuring that the secure future required electricity generating capacity for Scotland, including the planning margin, will be constructed.

Jim Mather: Individual decisions regarding the location and type of generation activity are largely a matter for the private sector and the generators involved who respond to market signals and incentives within the regulation structure set down by UK legislation.

  Within Scotland, energy generating stations above 50 megawatts (1 megawatt for water generating stations) must have the consent of Scottish ministers under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. As set out in the Renewable Energy Framework published for consultation on 6 October 2008, we are working with the UK Government and OFGEM to put in place the appropriate incentive systems to promote energy security through a much greater proportion of renewable energy, together with cleaner generation from coal and gas.

Energy

John Park (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it is working with the UK Government on domestic energy costs.

Jim Mather: We are keen to keep up the pressure on energy companies and UK Ministers to take action to minimise the impact of high fuel prices, particularly on our most vulnerable people. The Minister for Communities and Sport attended the Ofgem summit on 23 April, and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing participated in the UK Inter-Ministerial Group on Fuel Poverty on 15 July. Ministers are keen to continue this dialogue. In addition, officials will join the Home Energy Savings Programme Project Board and Steering Group and ensure that Scottish interests are represented in emerging policy leading from the Prime Minister’s 11 September announcements.

  We are taking action to better align and promote a greater take up of our domestic energy saving programmes. We are also discussing with UK officials on a range of UK-wide energy saving initiatives to ensure that Scottish consumers receive at least a fair share of the benefits.

  More generally, we are continuing to press the UK government as well as energy companies to take action to minimise the impacts of price increases and to ensure vulnerable customers in Scotland are not charged unfair high prices. We are also applying pressure to see if retail prices can more closely reflect lower prices on the wholesale market. Finally, we have also said that greater powers over energy matters would allow the right decisions to be taken on energy policy for Scotland, as part of the National Conversation.

Further Education

Gil Paterson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what support it provides for further education colleges in the West of Scotland.

Fiona Hyslop: Responsibility for the core funding of Scotland’s colleges of further education lies with the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council. The funding council is also able to provide colleges with support for capital projects and for other purposes. I have arranged for the funding council to write to the member with details of how it funds colleges in the West of Scotland.

Heritage

Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what can be done to ensure the long-term future of the world heritage site at New Lanark and what role it sees the site playing in (a) Homecoming Scotland 2009, (b) the Curriculum for Excellence and (c) cultural tourism.

Linda Fabiani: We are fully committed to protecting all our World Heritage Sites. I know concerns have been raised about a retaining wall in New Lanark and Historic Scotland is involved in on-going discussions with New Lanark Trust about this. They have already provided grant aid of £86,000 towards the repair of the retaining wall that collapsed earlier this year and are awaiting information from New Lanark on costs for the repair of further sections of the wall.

  All the World Heritage Sites in Scotland have an important role to play in education, cultural tourism and events such as Homecoming 2009. I know the New Lanark Trust is considering several options in relation to Homecoming 2009.

  As historic and natural sites of international significance World Heritage Sites are well placed to contribute to the Curriculum for Excellence. They inform not only our understanding of history but also have a role to play in the discussion of issues relating to global citizenship. The New Lanark Trust has a well established educational programme and I am pleased that they are already filtering the draft objectives into this.

Immigration

Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many Leave to Remain visas have been requested in each year since the launch of the Fresh Talent initiative.

Linda Fabiani: This is a matter for the UK Government. The Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme was managed by the Home Office, and information on the total number of Leave to Remain visas requested in each year is not routinely made available to the Scottish Government. I have asked the Home Office to write to you direct with this information.

Immigration

Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many Leave to Remain visas have been granted in each year since the launch of the Fresh Talent initiative.

Linda Fabiani: The Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme was managed by the Home Office, who have provided the Scottish Government with the following information on the number of visas granted under the scheme.

  

 Year
 Total


 July 2005 to June 2006
 1,904


 July 2006 to June 2007
 2,785


 July 2007 to June 2008
 3,786

Immigration

Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what evaluation has taken place of the Leave to Remain scheme and the Relocation Advisory Service.

Linda Fabiani: We have recently published a review of the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme which is available on the Scottish Government website at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/08/15155422/0.

  An evaluation of the Relocation Advisory Service Phase 2 – Research Findings was published on the Scottish Government website in May 2008 and is available at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/05/20093224/2.

Immigration

Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements there are for overseas students graduating in Scotland to provide them with opportunities to remain in Scotland for an extended period following graduation and how these compare with arrangements elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

Linda Fabiani: International students (from outside the EEA) graduating in Scotland can apply to remain in the UK for up to two years under Tier 1: Post Study, part of the new UK managed migration arrangements. These arrangements now apply across the whole of the UK. In Scotland those graduating with a Higher National Diploma can also apply under Post Study for two years’ leave to remain. That is not the case in the rest of the UK.

Immigration

Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how often Scottish ministers met UK ministers between May 2007 and September 2008 to discuss the new UK immigration policy.

Linda Fabiani: The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Fiona Hyslop, has met with Liam Byrne and had a telephone conversation with Bill Rammell, and the Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, Linda Fabiani, has had a telephone conversation with Liam Byrne to discuss the new UK points based system for managed migration.

Immigration

Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether written representations were made to the UK Government by Scottish ministers in advance of the launch of the new UK Government immigration policy and what representations were made between May 2007 and September 2008.

Linda Fabiani: Scottish ministers have been in correspondence with UK Government ministers about the scope for Scottish flexibilities within the system; a reduced qualifying period for settlement in Scotland; the criteria for Tier One - Post Study (the successor to the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme), including retaining Scottish HNDs as an eligible qualification; Scottish representation on the Migration Advisory Committee and the Migration Impacts Forum; the potential impact on Scotland’s cultural festivals and sports events, the Asian restaurant trade and Japanese investment (as a result of the English language requirement); student visas and the proposals for citizenship.

Immigration

Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations have been, or will be, made by Scottish ministers to UK ministers to allow trainee doctors to complete their training using the provisions of the Fresh Talent initiative.

Linda Fabiani: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing has written to the Home Secretary on 10 October requesting that the necessary changes are made to ensure graduates from Scottish medical schools currently on FT:WISS are granted equal access to transfer into Tier 1 without restriction.

Immigration

Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations have been made by Scottish ministers to UK ministers to allow financial services trainees to complete their training and remain in Scotland beyond the two years of the Leave to Remain scheme under the Fresh Talent initiative and what decisions have been implemented as a result.

Linda Fabiani: There have been no representations made to UK ministers for a specific scheme to allow financial services trainees to remain in Scotland beyond their time on the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme (FT:WiSS). People on FT:WiSS can apply to transfer to remain in Scotland on another migration route at any time during, or at the end of, their two years leave to remain.

Justice

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in response to the report of the Administrative Justice Steering Group, chaired by Lord Philip, Options for the Future Administration and Supervision of Tribunals in Scotland.

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government participated in Lord Philip’s review, as part of the commitment given in the First Minister’s 30 January 2008 statement to Parliament, to "look at the case for an integrated Tribunal Service for Scotland" in order to meet the public service reform objective of "[bringing] together organisations with similar skills, expertise and processes".

  Tribunal reform has been prioritised by inclusion in the Programme for Government (3 September 2008), which said, "we will identify ways to streamline and improve the operation of tribunals in Scotland, in light of the review being led by Lord Philip."

  Independent research has been commissioned into tribunal training provision and judicial training needs, as referred to in the report, and the results will be published before the end of January 2009.

  The immediate next steps are for three of the five options presented by Lord Philip, including the government’s preferred option of an integrated Tribunal Service for Scotland, to be evaluated in further detail, within the context of recommendations from Lord Gill’s forthcoming review of the civil courts, Lord Philip’s own further report into administrative justice and changes arising in Scotland from UK Government’s implementation of Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.

  However, neither the status quo nor the option of UK-wide integrated service will be further considered. Lord Philip reports that the status quo does "not provide good value to the taxpayer" and is characterised by a "duplication of effort". It is not fit for a modern purpose and is described correctly as an incoherent, inconsistent system arising from unplanned growth and comprising a confusing mix of devolved and reserved responsibilities.

  Lord Philip has also effectively dismissed the case for a UK-wide integrated service, when he argues that integration of devolved Scottish tribunals within the UK system "does not make sense", requiring "aspects of the legal system in Scotland to be administered in England", concluding that this option would be "inconsistent with the principle of devolution".

  Policy responsibilities for Tribunals in Scotland are "split between the UK and Scottish Governments" but we agree with Lord Philip when he asserts that "users are unlikely to be concerned with whether a tribunal is reserved or devolved, or by whom it is administered" and concludes that there is "a strong argument from the legal perspective" for "a new Scottish Tribunals Service to support both [reserved] GB tribunals within Scotland and [devolved] Scottish tribunals".

  Exploratory discussions have already been held with the UK Government on the proper and effective administration of tribunals in Scotland, and these discussions will continue against the background of the national conversation on choosing Scotland’s future.

NHS Hospitals

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what assurance it can give about the continuation of accident and emergency cover at Portree Hospital from 8am until 11pm.

Nicola Sturgeon: It is the responsibility of individual NHS boards to plan and provide high-quality, safe and sustainable healthcare services that meet the needs of their population.

  If NHS Highland were to propose any significant changes to the way services are currently provided, these would be subject to public consultation and would ultimately come to me for consideration and a final decision.

Nuclear Power

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-16530 by Jim Mather on 2 October 2008, how many representations it has received regarding its policy on nuclear power generation; how many of these representations called for it to review the policy, and whether it will publish the details of the individuals and organisations that have asked for it to review the policy.

Jim Mather: As the previous answer stated, we receive a number of different representations on energy policy matters, including nuclear power. Some of these are in written form and others are oral, such as through ministerial meetings with companies and organisations.

  While some correspondents question the current policy on nuclear, others support our position. As this Parliament has agreed, we are focusing attention on development of our renewable potential, coupled with clean baseload and energy efficiency.

  With regard to publication, in the main the majority of such formal correspondence comes from individuals. It is not normal practice for such correspondence to be published unless part of a formal consultation process which is not the case in this instance. Publication of correspondence would raise issues relating to privacy especially in the case of responses from individual members of the public. We therefore do not intend to publish the details of any correspondence received on this issue.

Nuclear Power

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what contact it has made with Electricité de France regarding the future of British Energy and what responses it has received.

Jim Mather: After the announcement by Electricité De France (EDF) on 24 September 2008 regarding their offer for British Energy (BE), the First Minister spoke with Vincent de Rivaz, Chief Executive of EDF, by telephone to discuss the implications of the offer for Scotland. Following this conversation EDF have committed to keep an office presence in East Kilbride. As they are also increasing their investment in renewables, they anticipate increasing activity in Scotland. EDF have also expressed a clear intent to maintain and develop further their portfolio in Scotland.

  The First Minister is due to meet Bill Coley, Chief Executive of British Energy shortly to discuss the future of the company in Scotland, both in terms of keeping existing headquarter jobs in Scotland, but also the possibility of new investment in renewable opportunities in Scotland.

  In addition, I am due to meet with EDF soon to highlight the advantages of investing in Scotland, especially in terms of the existing skill and supplier base but also to highlight the fact that Scotland has considerable skills and capability in renewable energy.

Privacy

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive how often the expert group on privacy has met since it was announced on 9 September 2008 and what issues were discussed at each meeting.

John Swinney: The expert group has met once on 6 October 2008. At that meeting the group discussed the terms of reference and ways of working, and its remit to develop draft principles on identity assurance and privacy for public consultation, and provide high level advice on the draft Biometrics Technologies in Schools Guidance consultation.

Privacy

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive when the expert group on privacy will next meet and what issues will be included on its agenda.

John Swinney: The expert group will meet next on 15 December 2008. An agenda has not yet been prepared.

Privacy

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the expert group on privacy has examined the operation of Scottish citizen accounts.

John Swinney: The examination of the operation of the Scottish Citizen’s Account is not within the remit of the expert group.

  Atos Consulting have been commissioned by the Scottish Government to carry out an independent review of the security and data protection aspects of the citizen’s account system, and are currently preparing their report.

Privacy

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive when the expert group on privacy will report on its work and whether such reports will be published.

John Swinney: The expert group has been tasked with developing high-level draft principles on identity assurance and privacy. It is anticipated that it will report to ministers on its work by March 2009, and that a public consultation on the draft principles will follow.

Rail Network

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with the UK Government regarding rail links between London and the Euro Central container base in North Lanarkshire.

Stewart Stevenson: No discussions have taken place with the UK Government specifically regarding rail links between London and the Euro Central container base in North Lanarkshire.

Renewable Energy

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many grants were made in 2007-08 under the Wave and Tidal Energy Support Scheme and what the value was of each.

Jim Mather: In 2007-08, eight grants with a total value of £1,046,048 were made. The value of each payment is shown as follows.

  £54,526

  £45,321

  £64,597

  £22,754

  £602,305

  £49,854

  £23,704

  £182,987.

Scottish Government

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions since 1999 it or its agencies have refused to answer inquiries from members of the UK Parliament by virtue of their status as members of the UK Parliament.

Bruce Crawford: Statistical information is not available to answer this question.

Sexual Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a mother’s untreated chlamydia can have any effect on a newborn child.

Shona Robison: While it is very rare, a mother’s untreated chlamydia can cause conjunctivitis and pneumonia in her newborn child.

Sexual Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether male and female prisoners are tested and offered treatment for chlamydia.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Prison Service works closely with NHS Scotland to mirror services provided within the community.

  All prisoners are offered testing if they are symptomatic or have been identified as at risk of chlamydia. Sexual health awareness sessions take place throughout Scottish prisons in Well woman and Well man clinics.

Sport

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to encourage sports clubs to record injuries.

Stewart Maxwell: Many Scottish governing bodies of sport have accreditation schemes in place requiring member clubs to be aware of and implement normal operating procedures and emergency operating procedures. Risk assessment and first-aid procedures are components of these operating procedures which require clubs to complete a report following every incident.

  Assistance for clubs including an incident report template is available on sportscotland’s Help for Clubs website at www.helpforclubs.org.uk.

Sport

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has estimates of the number of children under the age of 16 involved in organised sports.

Stewart Maxwell: Statistics on children’s participation in sport are available from Children’s Participation in Culture and Sport , which can be found on the Scottish Government website at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/08/12161714/0.

  These figures are based on children’s self-reporting of their participation in sport. The reported rates of participation in school based sport are somewhat higher than would have been expected. This may be a reflection of young people’s perception that PE, sport and physical activity are all in essence "sport".

Teachers

Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with North Lanarkshire Council about education spending and, in particular, the issue of teacher employment since May 2007 and what actions have followed from those discussions.

Maureen Watt: The Minister for Schools and Skills met with North Lanarkshire Council on 9 September 2008 where budgets and teacher employment were included in the general discussions. No individual discussions have been held with North Lanarkshire on education spending or teacher employment in particular since May 2007, although discussions during the signing of the single outcome agreement on 28 July 2008 with the Cabinet Secretary referred to the concordat with local government which states that specific funding was provided in the local government settlement to enable local government to maintain teacher numbers at August 2007 level.

Vaccinations

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there have been changes for 2008 to those people deemed to be at risk for the purpose of free flu vaccinations.

Shona Robison: Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccine and Immunisation, no changes were made to the list of groups considered to be at risk from the flu for the 2008-09 flu season.

Voluntary Sector

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which voluntary organisations have been allocated monies from the current third sector funding package and how much they have received in each case.

John Swinney: The current Third Sector funding package provides £93.6m for the sector over three years. The package provides: investment funding for the sector through the Scottish Investment Fund (£30 million) and the Enterprise Fund (£12 million); activities to support enterprising behaviour and address barriers facing the sector as outlined in the Enterprising Third Sector Action plan (a number of these through competitive tendering and contracting), and direct support to third sector infrastructure bodies and specialist intermediaries providing services to third sector bodies.

  The following grant funding figures are for 2008-09 and do not include the Scottish Investment Fund, or Enterprise Fund, which will be reported on separately, or funding which has been contracted for through competitive tendering, rather than allocated through a grant. Grants or funding allocated below £1,000 are also not included.

  Third sector infrastructure bodies currently allocated grant funding during 2008-09 are as follows:

  

 Organisation
 Amount of Funding
 Purpose


 Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)
£0.650 million
 Core Funding (strategic partnership)


 Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)
£0.400 million
 Developmental support to the CVS Network


 Voluntary Action Lochaber
£0.010 million
 Development of a national body for CVS network


 Councils for Voluntary Service (CVS) Network
£3.850 million
 Core funding, distributed through SCVO


 Volunteer Development Scotland (VDS)
£0.940 million
 Core funding, Millennium Volunteer Programme, support to Volunteer Centre networks and a secondment


 Volunteer Centre Network
£3.751 million
 Core funding, distributed through VDS


 Voluntary Action Fund (VAF)
£1.220 million
 Grant programme for grass-roots organisations


 Local Social Economy Partnerships (LSEPs)
£0.350 million
 Contribution to partnership activities


 Social Firms Scotland
£0.090 million
 Business development and support for emerging social firms 


 Development Trust Association
£0.075 million
 Support the development of effective community development trusts.


 International Network of Street Papers
£0.015 million
 Supports new and emerging street papers and networks – ultimate aim of alleviating poverty


 Scottish Community Foundation
£0.155 million
 Core funding



  Third sector specialist services/intermediaries currently allocated grant funding during 2008-09 are as follows:

  

 Organisation
 Amount of Funding
 Purpose


 Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)
£0.045 million
 Development of skills infrastructure for third sector (strategic partnership)


 Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)
£0.141 million
 Implementation of PQASSO quality standard for CVS Network; support for the development of interactive evidence library across third sector; mediation group; research on civil society and government, and dormant account consultation.


 SenScot
£0.119 million
 Support to new and emerging social enterprise networks


 Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition (SSEC)
£0.161 million
 To represent views of the social enterprise sector, hold the annual S2S trade fair and raise sector’s profile (strategic partnership)


 Evaluation Support Scotland (ESS)
£0.114 million
 Build sectors capacity to evaluate impact and effectiveness (strategic partnership)


 Social Enterprise Academy (SEA)
£0.345 million
 Provide training in leadership, management, procurement and business processes


 Association of Chief Officers of Scottish Voluntary Organisations (ACOSVO)
£0.074 million
 Networking and leadership development across third sector organisations (strategic partnership)


 Social Investment Scotland
£0.285 million
 Development of loan products for third sector and management of Scottish Investment Fund.


 First Port
£0.170 million
 Support for new/proposed social enterprises – web resources, advice and exchange services


 Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations (CEMVO)
£0.091 million
 Capacity building support for new and emerging ethnic minority led social enterprises


 Community Enterprise in Scotland (CEiS)
£0.121 million
 Support for Social Enterprise World Forum, study trip to see European innovative social enterprises, business models report, and social ventures Scotland pilot


 Good Company Magazine
£0.010 million
 Scotland’s specialist publication dealing with social, co-operative and ethical business


 Community Business Scotland Network
£0.004 million
 Disseminating findings of workshops and research on improving the social accounting and audit process


 Community Care Providers Scotland (CCPS)
£0.005 million
 Sponsorship of CCPS conference 2008 which includes a focus on commissioning and procurement


 Highland and Islands Social Enterprise Zone (HISEZ)
£0.020 million
 Supporting development of social enterprises and aspiring social entrepreneurs 


 Forth Sector Development
£0.009 million
 Social Return on Investment (SROI) dissemination project


 Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA)
£0.010 million
 Events for housing associations to support making the most of their potential for social enterprise


 Older People for Older People - UHI
£0.033 million
 Encouraging and supporting older people into social enterprise


 The Wise Group
£0.002 million
 Sponsorship of award at Wise Group 25th Anniversary Gala dinner



  Third sector projects in the final year of three year grant allocations during 2008-09 or receiving transition funding at the end of their grant during 2008-09 are as follows:

  

Project/Organisation
Amount of Funding
Purpose


Project Scotland
£1.400 million
Support for the costs of youth volunteers


Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP)/Community Service Volunteers (CSV)
£0.360 million
Support for senior and retired individuals to volunteer


World Presidency – International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE)
£0.060 million
Support for period world chair of IAVE based in Scotland


CSV Give and Take
£0.040 million
Transition funding for refocusing the work undertaken through the Local Action Rural Project.


Scottish Business in the Community
£0.024 million
Senior Executive Programme - transition funding for refocusing the work undertaken through the programme.



  Third sector pilot and other projects currently allocated grant funding during 2008-09 are as follows:

  

 Project/Organisation
 Amount of Funding
 Purpose


 Wise Group
£0.035 million
 Recycling Pilot Project


 Inspire (Partnership through life) Ltd
£0.094 million
 Reopening of aluminium and steel recycling social enterprise



  Credit unions which have currently received grant funding during 2008-09 from the Scottish Credit Union S.G.E.I fund:

  

 Project/Organisation
 Amount of Funding
 Purpose


 Greater Govan Credit Union
£0.011 million
 For consolidation of their business over this financial period


 Livingston Credit Union
£0.014 million
 For consolidation of their business over this financial period



  In all cases, the monies received to date are dependent on the submission of claims against relevant grant milestones outlined in the individual award letters.

Wildlife Crime

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report to the Parliament on progress in implementing the recommendations by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland and the Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland in Natural Justice: A joint thematic inspection of the arrangements in Scotland for preventing, investigating and prosecuting wildlife crime and when it expects the most urgent of the recommendations, including the appointment of a serving officer as a full-time wildlife crime officer in every force, to be implemented.

Michael Russell: The Scottish Government fully supports the recommendations of HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland and Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland report into wildlife crime. Officer appointments and organisation of the police services are a matter for the respective chief constables.

  Considerable progress has been made in implementing the report’s recommendations as they apply to government, the police service and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. I will make a substantive report to Parliament on all aspects of this shortly.

Young Offenders

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to address the overcapacity in secure accommodation for young people.

Fergus Ewing: A short-life working group, Securing our Future Initiative, has been tasked by the Scottish Government and COSLA with considering how best to meet Scotland’s need for secure accommodation, including how to address issues of capacity. The group will produce recommendations for the Scottish Government and COSLA by spring 2009.

Young Offenders

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to be able to take action to address the overcapacity of secure accommodation for young people.

Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government and COSLA has already acted to establish a short-life working group, Securing Our Future Initiative, and will consider, in discussion with other stakeholders including the providers of secure accommodation, further action in light of its report, which is expected by spring 2009.

Young Offenders

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any local authorities have raised the issue of insufficient funding as a reason for not placing young people in secure accommodation.

Fergus Ewing: Local authorities place young people in secure accommodation in line with the criteria set out in legislation. Funding for the placement of young people in secure accommodation is included in the overall local government finance settlement. It is for local authorities to determine how to use their resources to best meet the needs of young people and their communities.

Young Offenders

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering the closure of one of the secure accommodation units for young people as a way to address overcapacity.

Fergus Ewing: Decisions about the future of secure units are principally for those who own and run those units. The local authority and voluntary sector providers responsible for Scotland’s seven secure units are represented on the short-life working group tasked by Scottish Government and COSLA to report on the issues facing the secure estate.

Young Offenders

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering placing children other than those who have been assessed as requiring secure accommodation in secure accommodation.

Fergus Ewing: There are no plans to change the current criteria against which children are assessed for placement in secure accommodation. These are as follows:

  (a) A children’s hearing must consider that the young person meets the criteria set out in section 70(10) of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, or

  (b) The young person has been remanded by the court under section 51(1)(a) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, or

  (c) The young person has been convicted of an offence and sentenced under sections 205 or 208 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995.